Wethersfield Comedy Night To Benefit Hockey Scholarship Program

March 20, 2013|By CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN, Special to The Courant, The Hartford Courant

WETHERSFIELD — — Comedy lovers can score a goal April 6 for the Wethersfield High School hockey team.

A comedy evening that night at the Pitkin Community Center will benefit the Wendell Coogan Hockey Alumni Scholarship Fund. The fund, named after former head coach Wendell Coogan, who founded the Wethersfield High School hockey team in 1974, provides scholarships to graduating hockey players.

"It's a fantastic cause," said Arnie Mason, treasurer of the Wethersfield Hockey Alumni Association. "We're giving scholarships to kids going to school, and we're helping them continue their educations."

Three comedians will perform, Mason said. The event is BYOB with snacks provided. Guests may also bring their own food. Organizers ask that guests be 21 or older.

All the performers are professional comics, he said. They include Rick Roberts, Rodney Norman and Angel Renta. Mason's brother, Howie Mason, who is also a comedian, will serve as master of ceremonies.

In addition to being for a good cause, the event is "a great night out," Arnie Mason said. "We've had numerous people come every year, and most times they'll come up and say, 'We loved tonight. We want to come back.'"

The fund provides varying numbers of scholarships each year, Arnie Mason said. This year, three players received funding, while in some years it's been as many as seven, he said.

In a decade of existence, the fund has given out about $25,000 in scholarships, Arnie Mason said.

Players must submit transcripts as well as records of their public service and work records. They also write essays on what it meant to play hockey at Wethersfield High School.

The event is from 7 to 10 p.m. Tickets are $25 per person or $125 for a table of six.

For tickets, call Arnie Mason at 860-989-8985 or 860-721-0204 or alumni association President William Desrosiers at 860-550-3726.